Toms Tips About Wakes

By Tom Neale, 3/20/2008

1. Take very seriously this thing about being responsible for our wakes. It’s very true.

2. There are areas where enforcement is severe. We’ve even seen bridges refuse to open because “aggrieved” parties on shore called and asked them to hold the boat which had inflicted damage until the law arrived.

3. Remember that a speed which results in almost no wake in some areas may result in significant wakes in other areas, such as those with narrow channels, steep channel banks, or shallow channels.

4. A wake thrown at another boat from a close pass can be much more damaging than a wake at the same speed from farther away.

5. We all know that wake will vary with the size of boats, but it will also vary with the type of hull. Whenever you’re in a different boat, check out its wake making characteristics.

6. While it’s true that being up on a plane will often cause less wake than going slow, nobody ashore understands this and few people on the water understand it. It’s not worth the legal and other hassle to try to make the point. Also, regardless of the wake issue, the speed required to get on a plane is often dangerous in confined areas because of other boats, narrow channels and other obstructions or hazards.

Boating and water sports involve risk. Any comments herein should be followed at your own risk. You assume all responsibility for risk or injury to yourself or others. Any person or entity that uses this information in any way, as a condition of that use, agrees to waive and does waive and also hold authors harmless from any and all claims which may arise from or be related to that use.